Combined pen and cigarette lighter



Feb. 25, 1969 H. G. MUELLER COMBINED PEN AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Sheet of 2 Filed Sept.

assen n Feb. 25, 1969 H, G. MUELLER COMBINED PEN AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER sheet Z Qfz Filed Sept. 14, 1966 iiinlllnlnniznnellll.

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United States Patent Oiice 3,429,644 Patented Feb. 25, 1969 3,429,644 COMBINED PEN AND CIGARETTE LIGHTER Hans G. Mueller, Landls Restaurant, corner Foster and Lockwood, Skokie, Ill. 60076 Filed Sept. 14, 1966, Ser. No. 579,373 U.S. Cl. 401--195 Int. Cl. B43k 29/16 2 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to combined pens and cigarette lighters, and is particularly concerned with the provision of an improved pen of the ball point type combined in a novel way with a cigarette lighter of an improved structure.

One of the objects of the invention, is the provision of an improved combined ball point pen and a cigarette lighter, in which the elements are arranged in a novel and more useful manner, which can be manufactured in a more economical manner, which is more simple in structure, which has a lesser number of parts than the devices of the prior art, yet produces a more beneficial result and is more reliable than the devices of the prior art.

, Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved structure for the pen in which the pen point is projected and retracted by a very simple structure, involving no buttons to push.

Another object is the provision of an improved modification for adults in which the fuel is gas under pressure, in a reservoir, having a valve at its upper end, spring pressed to closed position, but opened when the sleeve is pulled down, and closed when the sleeve is moved upward, to retain the gas in the reservoir until the flame is lighted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and drawings, in which similar characters of reference indicate the several views and parts, throughout the specification and the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the two sheets of drawings:

FIG. l is a side elevational view of the combined pen and cigarette lighter;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, taken from the right side of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken on an axial plane;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view, on a plane angles to FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a modification, utilizing fuel gas;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view at right angles to the plane of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a plan View showing aportion of the upper end;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the plane of the line 88 of FIG. 5 looking in the direction of the arrows; and

at right FIG. 9 is a similar view, taken on the plane of the line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to FIGS. l to 4, the combined pen and cigarette lighter 20, comprises a body member having an upper lighter portion 22, a ribbed connecting portion 24, and a lower pen portion 26.

The upper lighter .portion 22, comprises a substantially cylindrical body, having an upper bluntly curved end 28, and a pair of depending side Wall struts 30, 32, supporting a lower integral wall 34, terminating in an annular shoulder 36, and an inner threaded portion 38.

The wall 34 has an axial bore 40, 42, receiving the upper end 44, of a flint supporting unit 46, the latter unit comprising a metal tube having `a closed lower end, engaging a compression spring 48, in the latter tube, the spring engaging the lower end of a flint slidably mounted in the tube, and projecting therefrom between the struts, the. tube, having a pair of upwardly extending side flanges 52, 52, supporting a transverse shaft 54.

The shaft 54 carries a rotating serrated wheel 56, engaging the flint, and exposed for engaging the thumb of the user, and the cylindrical body having a sliding sleeve 58 thereon for covering the fluid supporting unit, or exposing the latter unit, when the sleeve is slid down.

The closed end also has an aperture receiving and supporting a wick 60 therein, and exposed at the top for ignition, the wick extending down and being coiled helically in a lower chamber forming a reservoir for lighter fluid, the chamber having a filling aperture 62, at its lower end, and having an inwardly threaded portion 64, for attachment to the ribbed portion.

The ribbed portion has a closed wall 66, at its lower end, and supports a lower pen portion 26, terminating in an outwardly threaded upper portion, the .pen portion having a longitudinally extending axial bore 70.

The serrated wheel 56 is covered by a sliding sleeve 58, slidably mounted on the cylindrical body, and exposing the int and serrated wheel, when the sleeve is slid down, so that the serrated wheel may be engaged by the thumb of the user.

Referring to the alternate embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, the body has a lower integral wall, having a line aperture, and the aperture has a ball valve, 92, with an upwardly extending stem 94, the ball having a line groove 96, for controlling the flow of fuel gas, in the path of spraks from the serrated wheel, the stem projecting in the path of the sliding sleeve 58 on the upper portion, when the sleeve is slid down to expose the wheel, the valve is opened, and the sparks from the wheel ignite the gas from the aperture.

The ribbed connecting portion 24, supports an upper chamber 98 having a lower valved filling aperture 100, to be filled with fuel gas, and a lower pen portion, 26, terminating in an outwardly threaded upper portion, the pen portion having a longitudinally extending axial bore 68, FIG. 5 and 70, FIG. 3 large enough to receive a ball point unit, comprising a tube.

The tube has a restricted portion at its lower end, holding a ball 74, FIG. 3, but permitting the ball to project from the tube, means for holding the ball in the tube, by means of a compression spring 82, FIG. 5 and 76, FIG. 3, about the tube. The spring has a lower stop 78 on the tube 72, has an upper stop 80 on the tube, and the pen portion has a lower tapered point about the ball unit, and the ball unit projects from the upper end of the pen portion, to engage the closed wall of the ribbed portion.

Thus the ball point unit is retracted when the pen portion 26 is unscrewed, but still urged upwardly and outwardly by springs 86, 82, respectively, and the ball point unit projects from the pen portion when the pen portion is screwed home, with the ball point in writing position, the tube having a gas tight lower end and a gas tight engagement at the top with the closed wall. By these means the ball pen may be removed and a refill substituted.

Referring to FIGS. 5 to 9, these figures show as aforesaid a modification, in which the device is provided with a fuel tank for gaseous fuel, and arrangements for feeding the fuel to the sparks from the wheel, so that the fuel is ignited to serve the same purpose.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the combined pen and cigarette lighter may comprise a body member having an upper lighter portion 22, a ribbed connecting portion 24, and a lower pen portion, 26.

The upper lighter portion 22, may comprise a substantially cylindrical body, having an upper bluntly curved end, having a pair of depending side wall struts, 30, 32. The curved end is indicated at 28. The side wall struts 30, 32, support a lower integral wall 34, terminating in an annular 36, and an outer threaded portion 38, the closed wall having an axial bore 40, 42.

The axial bore 40, 42, receives the upper end 44, of a flint supporting unit 46, the latter unit, comprising a metal tube having a closed end, engaging a spring 48, in the latter tube, the spring engaging the lower end 50 of the first, slidably mounted in the tube, and projecting therefrom between the struts, the tube having a pair of upwardly extending side anges 52, 52, engaging the flint.

The `wheel is exposed for engaging the thumb of the user, the cylindrical body having a sliding sleeve 58, thereon for engaging the flint supporting unit, or exposin the unit, when the sleeve is slid down, the lower integral wall having a fine aperture 90, and the aperture having a ball valve 92.

The ball valve 92, has an upwardly extending sem 94, for closing the fine aperture for controlling the flow of fuel gas, the ball having a fine groove 96 in the surface thereof, for passing the ow of fuel gas, in the the path of sparks from the serrated wheel.

The stem 90, projects in the path of the sliding sleeve on the upper portion, when the sleeve is slid down to expose the wheel, the valve is opened, and the sparks from the wheel ignite the gas from the aperture. The ribbed connecting portion 24 supports an upper chamber 98, having a lower valved filling aperture, 100, to be used to fill the reservoir with fuel gas,

The lower pen portion 26, terminates in an outwardly threaded upper portion, and the pen portion has a longitudinally extending bore 68, which is large enough to receive a ball point unit. The ball point unit comprises a tube with a restricted portion at its lower end, holding a ball, but permitting the ball to project from the tube, and a spring 82, about the tube having a lower stop on the tube, and an upper stop on the tube for the spring.

The pen portion has a lower tapered point about the ball unit, and the ball unit projects from the upper end of the pen portion to engage the closed wall of the ribbed portion. The ball point unit is retracted when the pen portion is unscrewed, but still carried by the ribbed portion, and the ball point unit projects from the pen portion, when the pen portion is screwed home.

By referring to FIG. 2, it will be seen that the lighter portion may be unscrewed from the ribbed connection 24 so that access may be had to the screw 110 to tension spring 48 as needed. Similarly, pen portion 26 may be unscrewed from connection 24 for refilling the pen point. Similarly, the lighter and pen portions are removable from the portion 24 in FIG. 5 for access to either the lighter or the ball pen.

It will thus be observed that I have invented an i-mproved combined pen and cigarette lighter in which the elements are arranged in a novel member, which is more useful, which can be manufactured more economically which is more simple in structure, which has a lesser number of parts than the devices of the prior art, yet

produces a more beneficial result, and is more reliable than the device of the prior art.

The improved structure permits the pen point to be projected or retracted by a very simple structure, involving a new combination, with no buttons to push to accomplish this result.

The present combined pen and cigarette lighter may be embodied in either of two modifications, one of which has a wick and reservoir for liquid fuel, and the other of which is provided with fuel gas under pressure, is a reservoir having a valve at its upper end, spring pressed to closed position, but opened when the sleeve is pulled down, and closed when the sleeve is moved upward, to retain the gas in the reservoir until the flame is lighted.

While I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of my invention, ymany modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and I do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of all changes within the scope of the appended claims. Y

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A combined pen and cigarette lighter, comprising a body member having an upper lighter portion, 4a ribbed connecting portion, and a lower pen portion, the upper lighter portion comprising a substantially cylindrical body, having an upper bluntly curved end having a pair of depending side wall struts, supporting a lower integral wall terminating in an annular shoulder, and an inner threaded portion, said `closed wall having an axial bore, receiving the upper end of a flint supporting unit, said latter unit comprising a metal tube having a closed lower end, engaging a spring 48 in said latter tube, said spring engaging the lower end of a flint slidably mounted in said tube, and projecting therefrom between said struts, said tube having a pair of upwardly extending side flanges supporting .a transverse shaft, said shaft having a rotating serrated wheel, engaging the int, and exposed for engaging the thumb of the user, said cylindrical body having a sliding sleeve thereon for covering said int supporting unit or exposing said latter unit, when the sleeve is slid down, the said closed end also having an :aperture receiving and supporting a wick therein, and exposed at the top for ignition, said wick extending down and being coiled helically in a lower chamber forming a reservoir for lighter fluid, said chamber having a filling aperture, at its lower end, and having an inwardly threaded portion for attachment to said ribbed portion, which has a closed wall at its lower end, a lower pen portion, terminating in :an outwardly threaded upper portion, said pen portion having a longitudinally extending axial bore, large enough to receive a ball point unit, comprising a tube Vwith a restricted portion tat its lower end, holding a ball but permitting the ball to project from the tube, means for holding the ball but permitting the ball to project from the tube, means for holding the ball in the tube, a spring about the tube, having a lower stop on the tube, and an upper stop on the tube for the spring, the pen portion having a lower tapered point about the ball unit, and the ball unit projecting from the upper end of the pen portion, to engage the closed wall of the ribbed portion, the ball portion being retracted when the pen portion is unscrewed, but still carried by the closed portion, and the ball point unit projecting from the pen portion, when the pen portion is screwed home with the ball point in writing position, the aforesaid lighter portion and lower pen portion being similarly removable from the aforesaid connecting portions to provide access to the parts contained within said lighter portions and pen portion.

2. A combined pen and cigarette lighter, comprising a body member having an upper lighter portion, a ribbed connecting portion, and a lower pen portion, the upper lighter portion comprising a substantially cylindrical body, having an upper bluntly curved end, having a pair of depending side wall struts, supporting a lower integral wall,

terminating in an annular shoulder and an outer threaded portion, said closed Wall having an axial bore, receiving the upper end of `a iiint supporting unit, said latter unit comprising a metal tube having a closed end, engaging a spring in said latter tube, said spring engaging the upper end of said iint, slidably mounted in said tube, and projecting therefrom between said struts, said tube having a pair of upwardly extending side flanges, supporting a transverse shaft, mounting a rotating serrated wheel, engaging the iiint, and exposed for engaging the thumb of the user, said cylindrical body having a sliding sleeve thereon for engaging said flint supporting unit, or exposing said unit, when the sleeve is slid down, said lower integral wall having a fine aperture, zand said aperture having a ball valve with an upwardly extending stem for closing said fine aperture for controlling the flow of fuel gas, in the path of sparks from the serrated wheel, said stem projecting in the path of a sliding sleeve on said upper portion, when the sleeve is slid down to expose the wheel, the said valve being opened when the sleeve is slid down, the sparks from the wheel igniting the gas from said aperture, said ribbed connecting portion supporting a lower chamber having a lower valved lling aperture, to be filled with fuel gas, and a lower pen portion, terminating in an outwardly threaded upper portion, said pen portion having a longitudinally extending axial bore, large enough to receive a ball point unit, comprising a tube with a restricted portion at its lower end, holding a ball but permitting the ball to project from the tube, means for holding he ball in the tube, and a spring about the tube, having a lower stop on the tube and an upper stop on the tube for the spring, the pen portion having a lower tapered point about the ball unit, and the ball unit projecting from the upper end of the pen portion to engage the `closed Wall of the ribbed portion, the ball point unit being retracted when the pen portion is unscrewed, but still carried by the ribbed portion, and the ball point unit projecting from the pen portion when the pen portion is screwed home with the ball point in writing position, said tube having sa gas tight lower end and a gas tight engagement at the top with the closed Wall, the aforesaid lighter portion and lower pen portion being similarly removable from the aforesaid connecting portions to provide access to the parts contained within said lighter portions and pen portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,941,511 6/1960 Cieremzans 401-116 3,150,507 9/1964 Smith 67-7.11 X 3,303,673 2/1967 Ayers 67--7.11 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 807,295 1/ 1959 Great Britain. 327,033 10/ 1920 Germany.

LAURENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner. 

